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  Grand Prix de Dottignies Preview  
     
  Grand Prix de Dottignies is held the day after the Ronde van Vlaanderen World Cup and has in the past attracted most of the big names. This year the field is not quite as strong and the three biggest teams of Rabo Liv, Orica-AIS and Specialized-lululemon are not fielding a team. The race has been won in the past by some of the biggest names including Emma Johansson, Kirsten Wild, Marianne Vos and Giorgia Bronzini, however of those names only Bronzini returns.

The race is also the third in the Lotto Cycling Cup with points on offer for the individual, sprints, GPM and teams classification. Current overall leader Sofie De Vuyst is down to start. Emma Johansson currently leads both the sprint and GPM classification while Hitec returns to defend their lead in the team classification.

Last year Vera Koedooder escaped from a late eight rider move of Iris Slappendel, Roxanne Knetemann, Sanne van Paasen, Laura Trott, Katarzyna Pawlowska, Alena Amialyusik and Esther Fennel. Despite the best efforts of the Rabo squad Koedooder held off to win solo ahead of lone chaser Slappendel. Sanne van Paasen won the bunch sprint for third ahead of Laura Trott.

The Route

The race starts with an opening circuit of 59.2km that includes most of the climbing. The first climb of the day the Bellegemberg comes after 10km. 3km over the top of the climb riders face the Beerbosstraat cobbled section and around 4km later comes the second climb of the day the Zandbeekberg at the 18km mark. The next major obstacle for the riders is two cobbled sections Chaussée d’Audenaerde and Place d’Hérinnes which start at just before the 32km mark. Just after 34km the riders will tackle the Cote du Carne and 6km later the final categorized climb of the day the Col de la Croix Jubaru. Riders will need to be careful on the steep descent from the Col de la Croix Jubaru.

After 59.2km riders cross the finish line for the first time to start the five laps of the 14.41km circuit. The major obstacle on the finishing circuits is the Jacquetboostraat cobbled section 3km in to the circuit. The narrow road on the 750m long cobbled section will be an added challenge as riders and teams fight for position at the front.

The Contenders

Provisional start list available here.

Vera Koedooder

The defending champion returns to try and go back to back. Took the win last year after attacking and using her time trialing ability to hold off the chase. With the finishing circuits suited to a bunch sprint her best chance is to try and get away solo or in a very selection group. Finished third last weekend at Gent-Wevelgem in a sign of good form.

Janneke Ensing

Yet to claim a professional victory but has had a strong start to the year with 6th at Novilon Eurocup. Was close to her first professional win at Gent-Wevelgem just missing out due to a late attack in the final few hundred metres by Lauren Hall.

Giorgia Bronzini

Started 2014 on a strong note with 3 of 4 stages and the overall at the Bay Crits. Was mostly out of the action at the Tour of Qatar but finished with a strong 2nd place on the final stage. After a disappointing start Bronzini has returned to form the past two weeks. Finished on the podium in 3rd at GP Comune di Cornaredo and took her best ever finish at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda leading home the chase group for 9th.

Laura Trott

Last year Trott started her first road race as a professional here. Trott made the elite group finished 2nd in the sprint after 2 riders were off the front to finish 4th overall. Started her road season at the GP Comune di Cornaredo two weeks ago finishing 20th in a race where only 24 riders actually finished.

Chloe Hosking

Started her season on a strong note taking a stage after getting the jump on Giorgia Bronzini on the second stage of the Bay Crits. Followed that up with 3rd in Qatar her fourth top 10 finish there in a row. Finished 9th in Molecaten Drentse 8 earlier this month and has a strong team to support her in a sprint finish.

Lucy Garner

The two time Junior World Champion took her first professional win in the first stage of the Tour of Chongming Island on route to 3rd overall. On a team with Kirtsen Wild and Amy Pieters, Garner must take the chances when they come her way.

Shelley Olds

One of the fastest sprinters in the women's peloton. After spending 2013 with Tibco-To The Top has joined Ale Cipollini for 2014. Had 25 top 10 finishes in 2013 and has started strongly in 2014. Took three top 10 finishes against some of the top sprinters in the world at the Tour of Qatar. Won two stages at the Vuelta Internacional Femenina a Costa Rica. Since returning to Europe has won the GP Comune di Cornaredo, 2nd Novilon Eurocup and 3rd in the first World Cup at Ronde van Drenthe.

Sofie De Vuyst

Has been one of the stand out riders of 2014 so far. 6th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 3rd Le Samyn, 5th Omloop van het Hageland and 4th last weekend at Gent-Wevelgem. While hasn't quite got that win yet her consistency means she is going to be there fighting for the win.

Emily Roper

Now in her 2nd season with the Jayco-AIS Australian National Team. Put on a dominant display in the U23 category at the National Championships winning the Road Race and Criterium and 2nd in the Time Trial. Took 6th in the Elite Road Race against some of the biggest names in Australian cycling. A fast finisher who will be an outsider in a bunch sprint.

Lauren Hall

Took a surprise win at Gent-Wevelgem by attacking an elite group in the final few hundred meters and holding on to the line. It will not be easy to repeat the performance but with confidence from the win Hall could be one to surprise again with a good result.

Other names to watch: Liesbet De Vocht, Emily Collins, Sara Mustonen, Maaike Polspoel, Marta Tagliaferro, Barbara Guarischi, Alexandrea Burchenkova, Kimberly Wells, Ash Ankudinoff and Chloe McConville.

Note 7/4 - Since initial publication Lucy Martin is no longer riding.
 
 
         
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